Essence of Botswana

Experience three of Botswana’s most noted landscapes and safari experiences—water, land and desert—in this private luxury safari tour

Arrive in Johannesburg, where you will be met and assisted to the flight to Maun and Botswana’s Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta and a bird lover’s paradise. The region’s network of waterways is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including a large population of elephant, buffalo and red lechwe (antelope). The safari camps in this area have been carefully selected to allow you to experience the best of both worlds in the delta—water-based camps for boating activities and land-based camps for game drives. First, experience one of the delta’s most exclusive “water camps” and enjoy daily wildlife outings by mokoro (traditional dug-out canoe) and motor boat rides along the “hippo highways.” Opt for a private scenic helicopter excursion for an amazing aerial view of the delta.

Next, experience Mombo Camp, a renowned “land camp” on Chief’s Island in the delta’s Moremi Game Reserve, an area of pristine wilderness and one of the world’s top wildlife viewing regions. Spot the Big Five during daily game drives with an expert ranger. A highlight of this area is the high concentration of plains game that come to graze on the sweet grasses of the island and the large number predators they attract, giving this area the name, “the predator capital of the world.”

Finally, fly to the Makgadikgadi Pans in the eastern Kalahari Desert—one of the most dramatic landscapes in Botswana—for a stay at Jack’s Camp, a 1920’s-style desert camp. If your timing is right, you can witness Southern Africa’s largest wildebeest and zebra migration. Enjoy outings with expert guides to view desert wildlife, including a chance to get up close to a habituated family of meerkats and brown hyena. Also take a walking safari with local Zu Hoasi Bushmen trackers, explore remote archaeological sites in the salt pans, ride quad bikes across the pans, and take in the incredible silence while star-gazing. Return to Johannesburg, where you will be assisted to your international flight.

Speak with one of our Africa specialists to begin planning your private tour.